Holy Week Schedule
The following Masses and services for Holy Week and Easter at the Cathedral
Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, to which all are invited, will also
be broadcast live in streaming video on the web site of the Archdiocese
of Philadelphia, www.archphila.org. The Way of the Cross service at St.
Charles Seminary will not be streamed live.
PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION MASS —March 16 -
10:45 a.m.
In celebration of the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem, Cardinal Justin
Rigali will bless the palms to be distributed to the faithful, participate
in the procession, and be the celebrant and homilist at the Mass of Palm
Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.
HOLY THURSDAY CHRISM MASS — March 20 - 9:40 a.m. Procession
/ 10 a.m. Mass
Cardinal Justin Rigali is the main celebrant and homilist at the Holy
Thursday Mass of Chrism, which commemorates the day on which the priesthood
was established. During the Mass, Cardinal Rigali will bless the three
oils used in sacraments: the Oil of Catechumens, used in baptism; the
Oil of the Sick, used in anointing of the sick; and Holy Chrism, used
in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy orders.
HOLY THURSDAY MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER — March 20
- 5 p.m.
Cardinal Justin Rigali is the main celebrant and homilist. This Mass
commemorates the Last Supper, during which Christ instituted the sacrament
of Holy Eucharist. After the homily, following the example of Christ
who washed the feet of the apostles at the Last Supper, the Cardinal will
wash the feet of 12 seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
GOOD FRIDAY — March 21 - 12 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Monsignor Timothy C. Senior, Vicar for Clergy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,
will preside during choral meditations, readings and homilies on the Passion
of Jesus.
GOOD FRIDAY — March 21 - 3 p.m.
Cardinal Justin Rigali is the celebrant and homilist at the Solemn Liturgy
of the Lord’s Passion, commemorating the Passion and Death of Jesus
Christ. The traditional veneration of the cross, led by Cardinal
Rigali, will take place during the liturgy.
GOOD FRIDAY WAY OF THE CROSS — March 21 - 7:30 p.m., Saint
Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood
Cardinal Justin Rigali is the celebrant for a Good Friday candlelight
procession and devotions of the Way of the Cross on the grounds of Saint
Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood. Clergy, religious and parishioners
in the Archdiocese as well as those of other Christian faiths are invited
to join Cardinal Rigali for this public witness. The Stations of
the Cross will take place rain or shine. Parking will be available at
Saint Joseph’s University with shuttle buses to bring participants
to the Seminary.
HOLY SATURDAY EASTER VIGIL – March 22 — 8 p.m.
Cardinal Justin Rigali is the celebrant and homilist at the Easter Vigil
Mass celebrating the Resurrection of Christ. There are four parts:
Light Service (Blessing of the Fire and lighting of the Paschal Candle),
Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism and the Eucharist. After
a reflective and intense period of prayer during Lent, Catechumens (those
who have not been baptized) and Candidates (those who have been baptized
in other faiths) will become full members of the Catholic Church at the
Cathedral and parishes throughout the Archdiocese. In 2008, 835 new Catholics
will be welcomed into the Church.
EASTER SUNDAY MASS — March 23 - 11 a.m.
Cardinal Justin Rigali is the celebrant and homilist at the Mass of the
Resurrection of the Lord.